TAMWORTH extended their unbeaten run to five games as they took another significant step towards Conference safety against relegation rivals Scarborough.

The hard-earned draw maintained the Lambs' four point advantage over bottom-of the-table Boro.

And it provided Tamworth with their first point on the road since the end of January.

Mark Cooper's men would have won no gold stars for quality at the McCain Stadium in an uncompromising battle but their application could not be faulted.

Keeper Sean Bowles emerged as the hero of the hour as he repelled the Seadogs with a selection of fine saves.

The former Coalville Town goalkeeper produced fine stops to deny player-boss Neil Redfearn, Simon Weaver, Tony Hackworth and David McNiven.

Former Villa striker Tommy Johnson missed Tamworth's best two openings when he was thwarted by Ian Dunbavin.

The Lambs had to hang on for grim life towards the end but their defence stood firm.

Substitute keeper Dale Belford - the son of Tamworth kit-man buster belford - and hero of the 1989 FA Vase run made his first appearance on a Lambs teamsheet since December 1995. There was also a welcome return for full-back Michael Tuohy following a lengthy injury lay-off.